The timing of today's announcement appears certain to anger U.N. diplomats, who have been reporting progress in negotiations with [Sudan’s president] and have been aggressively lobbying U.S. officials to delay sanctions.

• The American ambassador to Iraq met with his Iranian counterpart on Monday, marking the first official high-level meeting between the countries in nearly 30 years. The Iranians suggested that the two sides, along with the Iraqis, create a working group to address American allegations about Iranian activities in Iraq.